Plans for a 500-home neighbourhood on the Derby’s former Derbyshire Royal Infirmary site have won the green light.

An outline planning application for the £40 million-plus scheme has been approved by Derby city councillors after the plans were tweaked to retain both much-loved “pepper pot” buildings on the land - an earlier version would have demolished one of them.

Nightingale Quarter Estates can now draw up more detailed proposals, safe in the knowledge that its vision for a new neighbourhood on the land has the backing of Derby City Council.

The development is set to include shops, restaurants, offices and a public park.

Councillors have approved these plans, which show an access road diverting around a 'pepper-pot' facade (circled in red). Previous plans showed the facade making way for a straight access

The consent is subject to the developer meeting planning conditions and signing a section 106 legal agreement - in which developers agree to create amenities or make contributions towards them.

As well as the “pepper pot” facades - the only remnants of the hospital, which closed in 2009 – the abandoned grade-two-listed Wilderslowe House will also be brought back into use for either commercial or residential uses.

Three derelict Victorian villas in Osmaston Road and the statue of Queen Victoria in London Road will also be revamped.